On this Thursday morning, I am reminded of the various trials and tribulations Job encountered. And no matter how dark his days got, God never left him. The same mercy God showed Job in the midst of his hard times is the same mercy God shows to us today.
Some may be wondering how that is the case when there is so much death, so much sickness, so much evil, so much violence, so much hate, injustices, etc. But God is the same God; He has never changed. And despite the current climate, health, and morale of our nation; He is still a sovereign Lord and worthy of all of our praise.
The Bible tells us in the Book of James, 5th chapter, 11th verse, Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
My brothers and sisters I want to speak with you very briefly about the importance and need of intercessory prayer.
And the prayer of faith it will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:15-16 NKJV
There is someone this morning who woke up and is grieving the recent lost of a loved one. There is someone this morning whose recovering from a recent illness or still trying to regain strength from an accident. There is someone who feels hopeless, torn, beat down, heartbroken, or maybe even wrecked. That someone could be you this morning or your neighbor. Or maybe even your mother, brother, sister, or cousin.
Whomever it is, they need our prayers. This morning we call out to the elders of the church for prayer, we call out to the women, men, and children of the church and ask for prayers. As a nation we cry out “Lord help us!” Someone needs our fellowship this morning Lord, there is someone out there this morning who doesn’t know which way to turn so Lord I ask that the prayers of Your people will cover them this morning in a great multitude. Lord I ask you to bring peace and hope to this nation right now Lord.
Even in the midst of what could be going on in our own homes right now Lord we gather together to pray for our neighbors. Communities are hurting, states are seeing deaths where they are running out of room in morgues, Lord the hospital is filling up and spaces are no longer available where the greatest needs are. We are running out of nurses, teachers, medical staff, and other resources. But Lord we know You are a Lord of great abundance and we know that You supply all of our needs so we just ask that You increase our faith, give us peace and understanding and allow our trust to remain in You.
I’m asking you to join me in prayer. Study James 5:7-18. Whatever you or your neighbor needs, God’s got it. Let us pray and call out to our Heavenly Father at this time. Reach out and ask someone how you can be praying for them.
God use us to bring comfort to someone in need. Hear our prayers Lord. Help us to persevere and to hold fast to our faith.
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Amen. Powerful Prayer. It needs to be repeated.
Then let’s repeat it horse nose!!!!!
Ok. So Our Sunday School Lesson this Sunday is A Cry for Help. It’s coming from Habakkuk. He and his people had been exiled and where in the land of their oppressors. They had been crying out to God to help them. They were angry and upset because they thought God was not listening. So after Crying out to God for Help, God answered them. Habakkuk was open and honest to God regarding his frustration. Sometimes we may feel being frustrated that we are being doubtful. God wants us to have a personal relationship with him and to be open and honest. So God answered Habakkuk. Habakkuk 2:1-4 I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. Behold the proud His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. So Habakkuk actively listened for God and waited on God. He received his answer. Sometimes we always don’t get the answer we want and sometimes it’s a challenge to wait on God but we must remember just because Hid doesn’t answer right away does not mean that God has denied us. The answer will come at an appointed time. They key is to have patience and wait because Our God is faithful and will answer us. Now Whitnee I don’t know if I could ever have waited as long as Job did but the Bible says that Job was faithful and trusted and he waited. I know we may have some “Jobs” out there waiting because I am waiting but know that God will answer and the waiting renews our strength. Amen.
This makes me think of the sermon at Tuesdays revival.